The changes were made, and the little yawl sped rapidly on past the headland of grey granite hoary and shaggy with moss; past black frowning masses of slaty shale, over and amongst which the waves broke in sparkling foam, and on and on by ferny hollows and rifts, down which trickled tiny streams. The day was glorious, and the reflection of the sapphire sky dyed the sea tint of a blue that seemed amethystine in its richer transparent hue. The grey gulls floated overhead, and the tiny fish they pursued made the sea flash as they played about and showed their silvery sides. But the conversation flagged. Possibly the fact of its being the last day of a pleasant sojourn acted upon the spirits of two of the party, while the third of the male occupants of the boat rather welcomed the restraint and silence, for it gave him an opportunity to sit and think and wonder what was to be his future, and what the animated countenance of Louise Vine meant as she answered the questions of her brother's friend. He was a visitor as well as her brother's companion; he had been staying at Mr Vine's for a fortnight. They had had endless opportunities for conversation and--in short, Duncan Leslie felt uncomfortable. It was then with a feeling of relief that was shared by both the ladies, that after a few miles' run Henry Vine stood up in the bows, and, keeping a sharp look out for certain rocks, shouted his orders to Leslie as to the steering of the boat, and finally, as they neared the frowning cliffs, suddenly lowered the sail and took up the oars. They were abreast of a large cave where the swift grey-winged pigeons flew in and out over the swelling waves which seemed to glide slowly on and on, to rush rapidly after the birds and disappear in the gloom beneath the arch. Then there was a low echoing boom as the wave struck far away in the cave, and came back hissing and whispering to be merged in the next. "Going to row close in?" said Leslie, scanning the weird, forbidding place rather anxiously. "Going to row right in," said Harry, with a contemptuous smile. "Not afraid, are you?" "Can't say," replied Leslie. "A little perhaps. The place does not look tempting. Do you think it is safe to go in?" "Like to land on the rock till we come back?" said Harry instead of answering the question. "No," said Leslie quietly; "but do you think it wise to row in there?" "You're not afraid, are you, girls?" "I always feel nervous till we are outside again," said Louise quietly. "But you will be very careful, Harry," said Madelaine. "Think I want to drown myself?" he said bitterly. "I might just as well p'r'aps, as go back to that dismal office in London, to slave from morning till night."